DES MOINES, Iowa (June 22, 2013) – The 2013 US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships, presented by the National Guard, kicked off Saturday at both James W. Cownie Park and Hidden Valley Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa. Teams comprised of State champions, US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional League champions, and select wildcards, commenced day one with hopes of advancing to knockout rounds, and ultimately, to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

This year, seven teams from the 2012 US Youth Soccer Region II Championships are back to defend their title, and they’re all coming back strong, as all of them started off the tournament with wins. Four Girls teams include U-15 Girls Ambassadors FC (OH-N), U-17 Girls Cleveland United White (OH-N), U-18 Girls Team Chicago Academy Botafogo (IL) and U-19 Girls Cincinnati Soccer Alliance Elite (OH-S). The Boys’ side includes U-16 Boys Cup Crew Jrs Gold (OH-S), U-15 Boys Vardar (MI) and U-18 Boys Raiders FC Premier (IL).

Three-time State Cup Champs Cincinnati Soccer Alliance Elite (OH-S) defeated JUSC/WDM Premier Force (IA) 4-3 in a U-19 Girls back-and-forth battle. Although they won the match, Cincinnati Head Coach Alex Rawlings believes that the first three days are vital, and they’re doing all they can to get back to Nationals again.

"First game… I think they learned the lesson pretty quick that they have the target on their back," said Rawlings. How you defend your regional championship and go to Nationals again is step by step, but you have to get out of pool play first. All these teams are all looking to compete. I think they feel that they didn’t leave everything on the field at the last National Championship. For them, I think it would be one of the most exciting things in recent years. It would mean closure, getting there and having that opportunity again."

Ohio-South’s U-16 Boys Cup Crew Jrs Gold team is also eager to get back to Nationals, putting in all their efforts to advance to the next level.

"We are very excited to be back at the Region II Championships," said CUP Director of Coaching Bobby Puppione. "The boys and coach Terry have worked very hard the entire year to get back here and defend their Region II crown. The road to the final will not be easy. We will need to produce top performances the rest of the tournament to earn a chance to return to the National Championships next month in Overland Park."

Cup Crew entered halftime against OFC 96/97 Elite 1 (NE) with a 1-1 score, but in the 56th minute, CUP took over of the match, when David Jeffries chested the ball down to himself and blasted it in the back of the net. Mohammed Elmardi slotted it in the 78 minute mark to secure the 3-1 win.

The U-18 Boys Raiders FC Premier (IL) and Madison 56ers (WI) match resulted in a 4-0 score, with first half goals by Gonzalo Romo and Qudus Lawal and a pair of goals by Qudus Lawal.

Girls team Cleveland United White (OH-N) also accomplished a win, 6-1 against Sporting BV Supersport (MO) in a U-17 Girls matchup. Cleveland United already has a ticket to Overland Park this summer through a National League championship, but they will still fight hard to defend their Regional crown.

Regional winners will earn a berth to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-28, at Overland Park Soccer Complex in Overland Park, Kan. The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 88 teams.